safety
Brothers accused of mishandling dozens of decomposing bodies at Colorado funeral home
By Stephanie Weaver at FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotter and his brother, Christopher Aaron Cotter, were arrested in Colorado and face 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, with a judge setting their bond at $1 million.
Why this matters in Barton Creek News
The disturbing allegations against the Cotter brothers in Colorado raise questions about the oversight of funeral homes and mortuaries in the Austin area. While the incident occurred outside of Texas, it prompts local residents to consider the regulations and safeguards in place to prevent similar mistreatment of the deceased in Travis County. The fact that two individuals, one a former coroner, could allegedly mishandle dozens of bodies without detection for some time is particularly troubling. As the community in Barton Creek expects a certain level of dignity and respect in the handling of the deceased, local funeral homes and authorities must be held to high standards of accountability and transparency. The incident may lead to increased scrutiny of local funeral homes and mortuaries, and potentially, a review of the current regulations and inspection protocols in place to prevent such abuses.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News . Barton Creek News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotter and his brother, Christopher Aaron Cotter, were arrested in Colorado and face 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, with a judge setting their bond at $1 million.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News and curated for Barton Creek News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephanie Weaver at FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News. To learn more about how Barton Creek News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Barton Creek News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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